Residents flee communities as Eiye cultists mark 8th anniversary in Ogun

There was panic in the Sagamu Local Government Area, LGA of Ogun state on Monday as suspected cult members of the Eiye Confraternity allegedly plan to unleash mayhem during their anniversary.

Some residents of Fakale, Igode and Emuren communities; Odo Kekere, Odo Nla and Itapara within the LGA have reportedly fled their homes for fear of being lynched during the alleged cult anniversary.

According to the Punch, residents disclosed that the cultists had vowed to cause bloodbath to mark the August 8 anniversary (a practice which was described as a norm).

Residents alleged that the cult members, while marking their 7/7 anniversary on July 7, some communities in the state were put under siege during which some suspected Aye Confraternity members killed 11 persons.

The celebration was allegedly extended till last Wednesday when some other cult members stormed the Ogijo area and killed four residents.

Lamenting the outrage, the head of Igode community, Chief Rafiu Idisu, said no fewer than 70 residents had packed out for fear of being attacked in the coming August 8 celebration, which the cultists tagged, ‘8/8.’

He said, “For the past three days now, there has been information across the community and its environs that Eiye cult members will attack people to mark their anniversary today.

“People have started leaving since then, especially those who live on new sites. About 70 residents have fled and residents in other communities such as Fakale, Itapara and Odo Kekere, are doing same.

“I have informed the council chairman and he promised to do something about it. We want the police to position patrol vehicles around the communities to protect us because we have no place to run to. We don’t want a repeat of what happened on July 7.”

Idisu said he had drawn the attention of the Chairman, Sagamu LGA, Mr. Lola Awoniyi, to the tension in the community and urged the police to nip the impending attack in the bud.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Ambibola Oyeyemi, said policemen had been deployed in different parts of the state to check cult activities.

Speaking on the incident, Oyeyemi said, “Our Special Intelligence Bureau officers are at various parts of the state to nip in the bud any mob attack. People should not fear harassment from anywhere. They should go about their business in a normal way; we are on top of the situation.

“Nothing is going to happen in those communities because policemen are on the ground.

“The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, has made it clear that whoever parades himself as a cultist will be treated like an armed robber, kidnapper or murderer.

“The CP has ordered all the Divisional Police Officers to be on their toes,” Oyeyemi added.

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